Blogs

Hello! I wrote this about our assistant golf professional at our country club who hit three hole-in-ones within a month. It's so incredibly unusual to make that many hole-in-ones ever, let alone in one month. All were witnessed and photographed (attached) and I can provide more details if you want to pick up the story. Would be nice for him.

International organization selects local manufacturing leader

to help advance women in additive manufacturing

Frederick, CO – H2 Manufacturing Solutions, providing manufacturers a broad scope of problem-solving services, has been selected to start a new Colorado chapter of Women in 3D Printing, an organization founded in 2014 by Nora Touré to support women working in the 3D printing industry.

Women in 3D Printing (Wi3DP) has added seven new chapters in North America and Europe since the beginning of the year. This expansion is integral to the group’s commitment to promote, support, and inspire women in the 3D printing industry, profile leaders in the field, and increase visibility of women in additive manufacturing.

“I have been following Women in 3D Printing since its beginning and have been impressed. I had the opportunity to meet Nora this year in San Francisco and immediately appreciated her goal and her vision,” said H2 Manufacturing Solutions CEO Heidi Hostetter. “I knew it would be amazing to work with her to bring this organization to Colorado and be a part of this global movement in which she believes so completely and passionately. Nora had many choices, so the honor is all ours that she trusted us with this opportunity.”

Touré is an expert in additive manufacturing and has been in the industry since 2010, when she joined online 3D Printing service leader Sculpteo as one of its first employees. In June this year she became VP of Strategy for Ivaldi Group. Touré is not only passionate about the development of 3D printing, she also has a vision for social inclusion, which led her to found the organization.

When asked why she chose Denver and H2 Manufacturing Solutions to help build this new chapter, Touré stated, “Denver is home to a huge community of entrepreneurs, makers, and manufacturers. At Women in 3D Printing, we know the key to a stronger community and a more reliable network to the women in our industry is a local presence in hubs like Denver. Heidi and Adam are two powerhouses and it made sense to me to work with them to bring Wi3DP to Denver. I am thrilled to have them as part of our community and to grow this network with them.”

Industry veterans and newcomers alike are invited to attend the first Colorado chapter meeting , August 16^th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at ICOSA Media, 4100 Jackson Street in Denver. Register and find additional information on Facebook and Meetup.

About H2 Manufacturing Solutions

H2 Manufacturing Solutions offers a broad range of services to help manufacturers navigate the daily challenges of the modern manufacturing world. Our one-stop shop addresses any business challenge a manufacturer encounters, from representing best-in-class equipment and service providers to operational improvement consulting to business development strategies to technical expertise. At H2, our mission is to make manufacturers’ day-to-day challenges more manageable and less frustrating. Our promise is to deliver Honest. Hardworking. Results. For more information, contact H2 Manufacturing Solutions at 970-692-3344 or h2@h2manufacturingsolutions.com. Visit H2 Manufacturing Solutions on the web, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

About Women in 3D Printing

Women in 3D Printing is dedicated to promoting, supporting and inspiring women using additive manufacturing technologies. Their mission is to increase the visibility of women in additive manufacturing and encourage more women to use 3D Printing technologies. For more information, see the Wi3DP website, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

BizWest recognizes eleven exemplary local women for achievements at Northern Colorado Women of Distinction Awards

Loveland, CO – Heidi Hostetter, CEO of H2 Manufacturing Solutions, is one of eleven women honored for their achievements in business, philanthropy, and government at BizWest’s Women of Distinction Awards April 18^th, 2018.

The eleven women being honored to have all made considerable contributions in leadership, time, and philanthropy to the Larimer or Weld County communities. This year, nine women won awards for nine different business, government, or philanthropic categories, along with a “Leading Lady” Award and an “Outstanding Mentor” Award. Hostetter will be honored in the Business and Business Services category.

Hostetter has been a leader and fearless innovator in the Colorado manufacturing industry for more than twenty years. She leads two successful companies and is the visionary and a founder of the Alliance for the Development of Additive Processing Technologies (ADAPT) Center for additive manufacturing research. She sits on the state’s Advanced Manufacturing Accelerator review board and has led teams that earned a number of honors, including Manufacturer of the Year in 2016.

Along with her role as CEO of H2 Manufacturing, Hostetter is Vice President of Fauston Tool and Board Chair of Northern Colorado Manufacturing Partnership and chairs its annual trade show this year (NOCOM 2018) on April 12 at The Ranch. She has put in substantial hours of volunteer service and support for both profit and non-profit organizations, including Child Safe—which provides services for women and children affected by sexual abuse and Respite—a center for the terminally ill. She’s served in a professional capacity a number of leading organizations, including Ball Aerospace, Woodward, Neo Tech, and others. She also works for the state as a volunteer and business leader on its transition boards in Global Business Development. She has three grown children and a seven-year-old at home, who she calls her “greatest joy.”

The BizWest 2018 Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony is April 18, 2018, from 7:00 to 9:30 a.m. at the Embassy Suites in Loveland. $40 early-bird tickets are available through March 31. Tickets purchased online from April 1^st to 13^th are $50, and tickets at the door are $60.

2018 Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony

Date: April 18^th, 2018

Time: 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Place: Embassy Suites, 4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland, CO

Cost: $40. To register, visit https://bizwest.com/events/events/2018-women-of-distinction/?member=guest.

About H2 Manufacturing Solutions

H2 Manufacturing Solutions offers a broad range of services to help manufacturers navigate the daily challenges of the modern manufacturing world. Our one-stop shop addresses any business challenge a manufacturer encounters, from representing best-in-class equipment and service providers to operational improvement consulting to business development strategies to technical expertise. At H2, our mission is to make manufacturers’ day-to-day challenges more manageable and less frustrating. Our promise is to deliver Honest. Hardworking. Results. For more information, contact H2 Manufacturing Solutions at 970-692-3344 or h2@h2manufacturingsolutions.com. Visit H2 Manufacturing Solutions on the web, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

About BizWest

BizWest was founded in March 2014 through a merger of the Boulder County Business Report and the Northern Colorado Business Report. Today, BizWest covers the business news of Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer, and Weld counties. It strives to provide the most accurate, in-depth, business news and to maintain the deepest and most up-to-date business database in Boulder Valley and Northern Colorado.

Project Team Chloe strives to raise money to help family in need, Bring Chloe Home!

Longmont, Co October 17, 2016:  Chloe has lived in isolation at Children’s Hospital in Aurora Colorado since she was 9 days old. After two rounds of chemo therapy, two bone marrow transplants and over 433 days in the hospital things are finally starting to look up. With a little bit of hope and faith, Chloe will be able to leave the hospital in about 6 months but Chloe’s family needs a place to live. Please help us find / build a home for Chloe. Support, share or keep us in your thoughts to help us bring Chloe home!

Chloe Elizabeth Cook was born on July 8^th, 2015 to Beth and Jackie Cook. Chloe was born with SCID, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency. Basically, Chloe was born without an immune system. (Think Bubble Boy). When Beth and Jackie, found out their baby girl had SCID, their lives were turned upside down. They were forced to make decisions no parent even fathoms. Destiny (Chloe’s big sister), is so excited to be a big sister but the only time Chloe and Destiny have even met was before Chloe was admitted to the hospital.

“Beth and Jackie pour themselves into Chloe and Destiny, Chloe’s 8-year-old sister.” Says Sherie Dike-Wilhelm, a close family friend. “With one daughter at Children’s Hospital in Denver, and the other in Longmont, both Jackie and Beth have been stretched to the absolute limits of what parents can handle. They have sacrificed jobs, education, a wedding ceremony, and more. They love their girls, but this is not how they imagined their life together. In many ways, Chloe’s fragility has put their lives on hold.”

We are raising money to find / build / put a down payment on a house for Chloe, Destiny and their moms. You can also help us spread the word about SCID. Please consider making a donation to our cause. Your donation will help provide a clean, safe home where this family can just be together again. For more information or to make a donation please visit our website at https://chuffed.org/project/bring-chloe-home. Support, share or keep us in your thoughts to help us bring Chloe home!

                                                            1 World Translation & Transport turns 15!  

Just down the street from the Lafayette Rec Center, on Harrison Ave., sits a piece of urban history, the old Lafayette Town Hall!  There are no plaques or historical markers to let you know you’ve arrived at this venerable locale, however, a small business now occupies the space, about to make a name for itself in this fine old civic center.  As they say, “You can’t hold a good business down!”

For the past 15 years, One World Translation has been “Making a World of Difference” through its focus on translation and interpreting services among medical, legal, business-to-business, government agency and education clients across the great state of Colorado. 

During that time, the company built an outstanding reputation as an ethical, highly responsive business leader for on-call and on-site communication services across 80 different languages and related cultural groups, upholding the highest standards in the industry. The company further sought to break ground in the industry by hiring interpreters as employees and offering common benefits like time-off and health care for a dynamically complex and often taxing profession which continues its fight today for recognition in the career world.  Only one other company in the country offered the same.

One World started in Lyons, Colorado, in March 2003 and grew with the demand as Colorado opened its arms wide to embrace more and more immigrants and refugees from all over the globe. In the 90's Aurora Public School District was home to more than 90 different languages.

In its pursuit of interpreters, at times, the company had to extend its own boundaries and teach budding linguists how to interpret properly, use computers, even how to use alarm clocks.  After living in refugee camps for many years, these interpreters had great linguistic skills in hard to find languages and a desire to assist their fellow immigrants at times; they just needed to refine their skills in workplace readiness.  One World came up with ways to meet their needs. Skill building extensions were offered at no cost to the budding linguists for a very long time.  Plans are in the works now to teach certificate courses at affordable costs.

In this, its 16^th year of business, more significant changes are afoot for this dynamic, resilient and forward-thinking company.  First, there is the matter of the name change.  From this time forward, it will be 1 World Translation & Transport, answering calls 24/7/365.  Watch for that number 1! 

As the name implies, 1 World is taking to the road, adding door-to-door mobility to further meet the needs of a diverse, widespread, and homebound or temporarily injured/impaired clientele.  The transportation service will be available for scheduled and short notice trips in high demand and underserved areas from Northern Colorado to Denver and Colorado Springs/Pueblo/Alamosa/mountain communities and the Western Slope: where need calls out for safe, quality, reliable services.

What sets this company apart from other vendors clamoring for this business?  High quality service, attention to safety standards and long-term partnerships serve as a pathway for compassionate, consistent and supportive effort built on a foundation of care.  

The combination beats Uber, Lyft, One Call, Where 2 and other competing services.  Imperatives:  strict background checks and guidelines, driver acceptance codes/guidelines, a positive history of validating financial partner audits, consistent reliability, quality staff, customer satisfaction, excellent linguists, responsive customer service and attractive price points.  

1World Translation & Transport will start transportation services first with their longstanding Worker's Compensation customers whom they have supported with professional linguists for the past 15 years.  The transportation service will initially be introduced to insurance company claims adjusters. From this base it will move into human services and possibly the private sector as demand and requests dictate. All transportation services, as with interpreting and translation requests, can be fulfilled through a simple call or email to 1 World.

1 World Translation & Transport continues to meet the growing needs of the young, old and in-between in partnerships with service businesses critical to everyday life.  The company supports the effectiveness and performance of the many busy Colorado professionals tasked with delivering such services to the Limited English Proficient "LEP" and ambulatory persons needing transportation assistance through their own codes of excellence.

This woman owned, Boulder County grown, small business rises from roots in Lyons, Longmont and now Lafayette, Colorado. 

For more information contact:

www.oneworldtranslation.com; info@oneworldtranslation.com; 303.485.5200

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability, announced it will host a public event on Thursday, September 20 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. You are invited to take a personalized tour, meet program directors and faculty and learn more about the future of green jobs!

WHAT: Ecotech Institute Open House

DATE: September 20, 2012

TIME: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Ecotech Campus, 1400 S. Abilene Street, Aurora, CO 80012

DETAILS: Free admission; Open to the public

Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers six highly practical associate’s degree programs that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.  The next round of classes begins in October and applications are always accepted. 

Ecotech’s program line-up includes:

• Power Utility Technician, Associate of Applied Science
• Solar Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Wind Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Renewable Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Energy Efficiency Program, Associate of Applied Science
• Electrical Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

Define Defense now offers 4 week self defense courses on Fridays from 5-6pm. In these 4 classes, we go over:

- Self defense on the floor against a standing attacker
- Self defense against sexual assault
- Self defense against grabs, chokes and other forceful attacks
- Effective striking
- How to avoid dangerous situations
- How to maximize your chances of escape
- How to use pepper sprays (and other defense sprays)
- Vital points, body language and other proven methods to get yourself into safety

The next self defense course will take place on these dates:
October 26th
November 2nd
November 9th
November 16th
Every attendee will receive an information packet. If you cannot attend all 4 consecutive classes, you can use your remaining class(es) during the next course dates.

The price for the full program is only $75.
If you want to reserve a spot, please send us a message or register here. Spots are limited!

This program combines all of the most effective and realistic ways to defend yourself against any dangers that may occur. We focus on prevention as well as protecting yourself and others. In this course, you will learn how to deal with a crisis situation, mentally as well as physically. Everything we teach is relevant to real situations and applies more realistic training methods for improved results. 

Research has shown that life changes, such as the transitions to middle school, high school or college, can serve as triggers that may contribute to the development of an eating disorder. For this reason, Eating Recovery Center, an international center providing comprehensive treatment for anorexia, bulimia, EDNOS and binge eating disorder, encourages parents of children and adolescents making these life transitions to be vigilant for early signs of eating disorders.

“Children and adolescents who are high-achieving, perfectionists and who have highly sensitive temperaments are generally at a higher risk than other children for developing an eating disorder,” said Julie Holland, MHS, certified eating disorders specialist and chief marketing officer of Eating Recovery Center. “For these individuals, unhealthy coping mechanisms may be utilized to manage the stressors associated with significant life changes.”

A 2012 study from the Journal of Clinical Nursing found that significant transitional events, as well as a lack of support following traumatic life events, could serve as eating disorder triggers. Researchers identified school transitions as one of the six main factors that triggered eating disorders among the individuals who participated in the study.

School transition experiences such as adapting to a new environment, meeting increased academic demands, struggling with social pressures and grappling with the physiological changes that occur during adolescence can create a perfect storm in which an individual with a highly sensitive temperament or a genetic predisposition for an eating disorder may turn to disordered eating behaviors as an anxiety management tool or coping mechanism.

To help parents manage their children’s transitions to new school environments, Eating Recovery Center highlights five back to school tips to help parents promote healthy attitudes about food and body shape and size.

1.     Look for discreet warning signs. Although weight loss can be an indicator of disordered eating, it may not be immediately apparent. A child may be displaying signs of an eating disorder if his or her schoolwork and grades begin to suffer, if he or she becomes socially withdrawn and increasingly anxious, tired and lethargic. Parents should also be aware if their child begins wearing roomier or layered clothing, even on warm days.

2.     Avoid comments about your child’s body shape or size. When shopping for new school clothes avoid commenting on your child’s weight or body size and instead focus on his or her preferences regarding color, style, etc. 

3.     Have an honest conversation about peer pressure and the dangers of replacing food calories with alcohol calories if your son or daughter is getting ready to make the move to college. Discuss the physical consequences of disordered eating and drinking behaviors, such as liver damage from excessive alcohol consumption or the significant internal damage poor nutrition can cause.

4.     Remind your teenage athlete not to overdo his or her training in an effort to make a high school sports team. Watch for signs of over-exercise, such as sports preparation when he or she is injured or sick, or exercise that significantly interferes with daily activities and schoolwork.

5.     Be a positive body role model. When helping an adolescent recover from the body-focused bullying that can sometimes accompany going back to school, a parent who has positive body image will have far more credibility than one who consistently criticizes his or her own looks.

“It is important to remember that what triggers an eating disorder may not be what perpetuates it,” said Holland. “Though school transition pressures may have precipitated an eating disorder, the factors that enable its continuation are often complex. Early intervention and treatment from qualified eating disorders professionals are essential to maximize opportunities for lasting recovery.”

To help parents learn more about helping their children more effectively deal with pressures that could lead to the development of an eating disorder, Eating Recovery Center has launched a free Community Education Series for parents. In the first seminar in this series, “Helping Your Kids Deal Effectively with Back to School Stressors: Opportunities for Parents,” parents will learn about being a healthy role model, communicating effectively and identifying steps to intervene when they are concerned about their child’s eating behaviors. The inaugural seminar is Thursday, September 6, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Eating Recovery Center’s Partial Hospitalization Program for Children and Adolescents, 100 Spruce Street, Suite 200, Denver, Colo. 80230. To RSVP for the event, please contact Emili Coringrato by Tuesday, September 4, at ecoringrato@EatingRecoveryCenter.com or 720.258.4014.

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability, is now taking applications for its new two-year Power Utility Technician degree program focused on training power utility technicians. The program, which will launch in October, will help fill a need in the power utility sector as a growing number of power utility technicians are retiring from the field and highly trained employees are in demand. Ecotech has responded to this need by creating a practical program focused on the ever-changing power utility industry.

With input from subject matter experts who have more than 55 years of combined utility experience, Ecotech designed its Power Utility Technician program to prepare graduates for careers in power generation, with specialization in power plant operations and maintenance. Students will receive immersive and hands-on training that focuses on providing a solid grounding in, and a comprehensive understanding of, electric utility distribution systems, grid and smart grid.

“We are excited about the applicability and cutting-edge nature of this program and are thankful to industry gurus Dan Sachse and Mark Fox for sharing their expertise,” says Michael Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “Demand is at an all-time high for people who understand the grid and the future of power utilities and we look forward to leading the way in preparing students for jobs in this area.”

Upon successful completion of the Power Utility Technician program, students will be prepared to:

• Apply the fundamentals of power generation, so they can operate and maintain power plants
• Use their knowledge of high voltage systems to maintain and operate grid infrastructure, smart grids, and distribution systems
• Use the fundamentals of electrical theory and related knowledge to design, build, repair, calibrate and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls and machinery
• Meet industry standards within the electrical engineering, power production and distribution fields

Ecotech’s comprehensive Power Utility Technician program offers a balanced education of soft skills (communication, workplace etiquette), and math and science basics and technology skills, but the educational emphasis is on hands-on, practical training in modern labs.

Ecotech Institute’s website outlines each of its programs to help answer common questions such as, “Is this program right for me?”, “What will I learn?” and “Why Ecotech?”  In addition to offering curriculum information, the site explains what to expect from the program, which skill sets are most desirable for this field of study, and what careers are available in cleantech industries.

With the addition of the Power Utility Technician program, Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers six highly practical associate’s degree programs that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers. 

Ecotech’s next round of classes begins in October and applications are always accepted.

In addition to the Power Utility program, Ecotech Institute offers the following:

• Solar Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Wind Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Renewable Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Energy Efficiency Program, Associate of Applied Science
• Electrical Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

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Photograph © Teri Fotheringham Photography 2011

Happy to say I am living back in Boulder (Gunbarrel) again after living in Estes Park for almost 15 years.  I first came to Boulder in 1961 to attend CU and now am teaching online courses for Continuing Education at CU.  While living in Estes I was evacuated for a fire last summer and then was inundated with smoke from the Fern Lake fire most of the fall.  Too much stress and too much to lose, so I moved.  Have been enjoying Twin Lakes trails, Walden Ponds/Sawmill Ponds, and Niwot trails.  Recently saw nesting owls on Twin Lakes trail and met Bodo Blaczak who told me about this website.  Check out his photos of owls, eagles, horses, and other sites around town.  Check out my black bear photos from Estes.

Katheen Campbell 2/18/13

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in clean technology and sustainability, will hold its second-ever graduation today, Monday, September 24, 2012 at The Summit Conference and Event Center in Aurora, CO. Forty-four graduates, including six military veterans, will cross the stage. They will receive associate’s degrees in Wind Energy Technology, Solar Energy Technology, Renewable Energy Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology.

This group of graduates, in addition to the first graduating class, makes up the students who began coursework in a temporary facility before Ecotech’s campus was completed.

“We take pride in our visionary students, the people who believed in Ecotech before we had elaborate lab equipment and a LEED-certified campus,” said Mike Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “These students shared our vision and will soon receive their diploma, arming them for success in the vast world of green jobs.”

Ecotech hosted its first graduation on June 20, 2012 and approximately 90 percent of graduates are now working in cleantech positions around the country, including Hawaii.

All Ecotech students develop soft skills (communication, workplace etiquette), and math and science basics and technology skills, but the educational emphasis is on hands-on, practical training. Ecotech’s prestigious national board of advisors, who serve as academic and business leaders in cleantech industries, helped design the school’s practical curriculum.

“It feels good knowing that I now have an advantage above others who are also pursuing this career, but who don’t have the technical training I received at Ecotech,” said Joe Kellogg, who is graduating with a degree in Solar Energy Technology. “I absorbed an abundant knowledge in each class from the best instructors and have the tools to be successful.”

The September 2012 graduating class is made up of students from 10 states and Mexico. Listed below are their hometowns, names and degree programs:

Alabama

Jackson’s Gap

• Jason Chesnutt, Wind Energy Technology

Colorado

Aurora

• Tumu Johnson, Electrical Engineering Technology

• David Shannon, Electrical Engineering Technology

• Clint Turner, Wind Energy Technology

• Mark Westrate, Solar Energy Technology

Boulder

• Nicholas Dotter, Electrical Engineering Technology

Broomfield

• Joshua Schaefer, Solar Energy Technology

Colorado Springs

• Deiyung Downey, Wind Energy Technology

• Matthew Morin, Solar Energy Technology

Denver

• Steve Appling, Wind Energy Technology

• Jacob Bratsky, Electrical Engineering Technology

• Chris Horn, Wind Energy Technology

• Thanos Hunt, Renewable Energy Technology

• Joe Kellogg, Solar Energy Technology

• Alejandro Mesa, Electrical Engineering Technology

• Brett Oakes, Renewable Energy Technology

• Esteban Orl, Wind Energy Technology

• Ty Simpson, Renewable Energy Technology

• Joshua Stoppel, Solar Energy Technology

• Josh Yaeger, Electrical Engineering Technology

Divide

• Matt Vetis, Solar Energy Technology

Henderson

• Gil Negron, Solar Energy Technology

Littleton

• Edward Buess, Wind Energy Technology

• Kent Mortensen, Wind Energy Technology

Morrison

• Sean Johnston, Renewable Energy Technology

Nederland

• Nathan Baumhover, Renewable Energy Technology

Northglenn

• Zac Sturgill, Wind Energy Technology

Parker

• Robert Parker, Wind Energy Technology

Connecticut

Salem

• Michael Scace, Solar Energy Technology

Kansas

Minneola

• Darlene Redden, Solar Energy Technology

Norton

• Timothy Millan, Wind Energy Technology

Oakley

• Terry Farmer, Solar Energy Technology

Mexico

Berwick

• Louis Sanfacon, Electrical Engineering Technology

Zacatecas

• Jose Calderon-Ibanez, Electrical Engineering Technology

Michigan

Battle Creek

• Les Crosby, Wind Energy Technology

Muskegon

• Jordan Veltman, Electrical Engineering

Missouri

St. Louis

• Josh Crambert, Wind Energy Technology

New York

Jamestown

• Richard Chase II, Solar Energy Technology

New York City

• Fatih Erogla, Solar Energy Technology

Oregon

Aumsville

• Michael Streight, Wind Energy Technology

Pennsylvania

Canonsburg

• Kevin King, Electrical Engineering

Texas

Corpus Christi

• Shawn Sanders, Wind Energy Technology

Dallas

• Brandon Huckaby, Wind Energy Technology

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college entirely focused on
renewable energy and sustainability, today announced that it has formed a relationship with Colorado-based Veterans Green Jobs, whose mission is to engage, transition and connect military veterans with meaningful employment opportunities. About 15 percent of Ecotech’s current student population is made up of military veterans.

Together, Ecotech and Veterans Green Jobs will focus on encouraging and enhancing opportunities for military veterans by promoting career opportunities in the
green jobssector, both in Colorado and nationally.

“Our military population has already been through so much and we want to make sure we’re providing the support they need to excel in school and go on to have productive careers,” said Michael Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “Veterans Green Jobshas a similar focus, believing that the right jobs can make all the difference in helping our military veterans enjoy a successful life after service.” 

As part of its commitment to military students, Ecotech recently hosted a seminar on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), taught by the Denver Department of Veterans Affairs. Ecotech administration, program directors and instructors attended the session to better understand what many student veterans are going through. According to “Help my PTSD,” one in every five military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan has PTSD and in the past year the number of diagnosed cases in the military has jumped 50 percent.

At Ecotech, 67 students are either military veterans or currently serving in the military.  Of those, three will graduate on June 21, 2012.  One of those students is Monica Soto, who will graduate in June with a
degree in Wind Energy Technology.Monica spent more than eight years in the Navy as an aircraft mechanic, but after 9/11 she left the Navy to be closer to her son and build a career where she could raise him in one place. After trying some other career paths, she found Ecotech when seeking an opportunity that would capitalize on her training and previous associate’s degree, and also build a bridge between her time in the military and her life as a civilian.

“As a single mom and 100 percent disabled vet, I didn’t know where to find my place in the civilian community and Ecotech met my needs in a variety of ways,” said Soto. “I knew my purpose in the Navy and felt lost after I left; I now feel a purpose again. I’m excited about putting my skills to work to better my own family and our environment.”

Ecotech Institute will have its first graduating class in June 2012. Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers highly practical
renewable energy degree programsthat provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative cleantech employers.

Learn more about
Ecotech Institute, or call 877-326-5576. The next round of classes begins in late June and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

Ecotech Institute’s first group of graduates crossed the stage on June 21, 2012 and dozens of graduates are already working in the cleantech industry. Three companies have hired a combined 20 graduates, five additional companies have hired one or two graduates, and several students have offers pending.  The companies range in size and specialty, with renewable energy graduates receiving jobs in six different states.

In addition to demand from hiring organizations and job placements across the country, positive feedback from new employers about the graduates has been tremendous.

“Hiring managers across the board have been extremely complimentary about the quality of our graduates and their job readiness,” said Michael Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “One company even said that Ecotech graduates are the best new hires he has ever worked with. Another company actually created a new position to better utilize the skills and knowledge of an Ecotech graduate. We are thrilled to see our alumni already experiencing great success and making an impact in the workplace.”

Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in clean technology and careers in sustainability. At the school’s first-ever graduation, forty-one students received their associate’s degrees in the following areas: Wind Energy Technology, Solar Energy Technology, Renewable Energy Technologyand Electrical Engineering Technology.

Former Governor Bill Ritter, who currently serves as the Director of the Colorado State University Center for the New Energy Economy, delivered the commencement speech. He offered perspectives from his position as governor, discussed Colorado’s aggressive role in the new energy economy, and applauded the promising future of the cleantech and clean energy industries.

“We were in the worst recession since the Great Depression and the only part of the private sector that grew during that was the cleantech/clean energy [sector],” said Ritter. “For your purposes, you chose right. You chose well. You chose the thing that grew, it has the potential to grow and grow and grow.”

The Ecotech curriculum is focused on the development of soft skills (communication, workplace etiquette), and math and science basics and technology skills, but the educational emphasis is on hands-on, practical training. Ecotech’s national board of advisors, who all work in cleantech industries, helped design the school’s curriculum, providing coursework that reflects what students will experience upon graduation.

Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers five highly practical associate’s degree programs that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energyemployers. Ecotech’s second commencement will be in September.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit us online at www.ecotechinstitute.comor call 877-326-5576. The next round of classes begins in October and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

When it comes to modern Colorado weddings, that old standard of reheated stale food from a farm located 1500 miles away and the tired options of chicken or fish simply won't do. Environmentally conscious couples and foodies alike are now opting for locally grown, fresh, and organic options in their wedding reception cuisine, and caterers are hearing them loud and clear. Breaking new culinary grounds is The Wild Basin Lodge's chef, Nick Fuster, who has the unique skill of finding, identifying and incorporating local wild mushrooms into a variety of dishes.  

The Wild Basin Lodge in Boulder County hosts over 250 weddings and events each year, and all food preparation is done on site by chef Fuster. You may remember Fuster from the recent blog post on My Town Colorado, and The Wild Basin Lodge staff is thrilled to have him on board. He came up with the inspired idea of mushroom hunting near the lodge and in the neighboring town of Lyons to add a local and organic flavor to cuisine for guests. While searching in the local area, he found porcini mushrooms, which are referred to as "Stein" in German. "Stein in German means rock because they blend in with the ground they grow in and look a lot like brown or reddish rocks," says Fuster. The chef slices up his finds, sautés them in olive oil and uses them for the lodge's wild mushroom risotto (a vegan dish that's often served at wedding receptions) and the wild mushroom sauce that tops Wild Basin steaks and New York strip steaks. "I found some right behind the lodge, but also around Allenspark and the Peaceful Valley area. But like every wild mushroom hunter, I can't tell the exact spots!" Says Fuster. 

Fuster has introduced a wide variety of new organic menu options with locally-grown ingredients to the lodge's wedding and event menus, and worldwide travelers are consistently impressed with the quality of appetizers, side dishes, and entrées that are all freshly prepared on site for each unique private event. The chef, who previously worked as the head chef at The MED Restaurant in Boulder, integrates his international training in Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Bermuda and Hawaii into several of his dishes while retaining a high standard of locally purchased ingredients. A few new menu options that have been added to the Wild Basin menu in 2013 include appetizers of bruschetta, Swedish meatballs, baked green lip mussels, and melon prosciutto and entrées of Colorado rack of lamb, crisp duck breast, and cornish game hen over a goat cheese cream sauce. Fuster purchases ingredients locally whenever possible and prides himself on preparing fresh cuisine for guests at the facility.

Fuster (pictured below in The Wild Basin Lodge's Copeland bar) continues to create new organic projects at the lodge. He started an herb garden next to the facility and uses fresh mint, cilantro, basil and other herbs in his popular cuisine. Do you have ideas for organic meals at your next Rocky Mountain event? Have you found wild mushrooms in Boulder County or have an interest in the hobby? Contact The Wild Basin Lodge to share your thoughts with Chef Fuster!

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability, announced today that its January quarter kicked off with 100 new students, the largest start to date.  With total current enrollment at 473 students, Ecotech witnessed a student population increase of almost 400 percent in just one year.

Ecotech Institute started classes in a temporary facility in June 2010 as it completed an overhaul of an existing vacant building.  In January 2011, Ecotech’s 119 students began attending school in its LEED gold-certified campus in Aurora, Colorado.   Since then, the facility’s offerings, faculty and student enrollment have continually experienced growth and improvement.

This June, the first graduating class of 39 students is expected to receive their degrees and in December 2012, another 50 students are expected to graduate.  Of these students, the most popular degrees include Wind Energy Technology, Renewable Energy Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology.

“We knew we had something special when Ecotech opened its doors, and it’s inspiring to see increasingly more students come from across the country to pursue a degree that can truly make a difference in the world,” said Mike Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute.  “With our first group of graduates in June, we can’t wait to see where they go and to hear their stories of success.  This is definitely going to be a big year for us.”

Today, 90 percent of Ecotech’s students are men and 77 percent of the students are from Colorado.  However, every day more and more students are moving from other states to pursue a degree at Ecotech, with students from 37 states and Puerto Rico currently represented.  The top states from which Ecotech students have relocated include California, New Jersey, Wyoming, Illinois and Texas.

With the growth in students comes a growth in faculty as well.  When Ecotech first opened, the school had one program director and two instructors. Ecotech now has three program directors and 24 instructors who teach in 11 hands-on learning labs.  Ecotech’s holistic teaching approach gives students a chance to learn first-hand about the technology they will use in the field of their future career.  At Ecotech, students also learn soft skills (communication, workplace etiquette), math and science basics and technology skills.

Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers seven highly practical degree programs and one certificate program that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit us online at www.ecotechinstitute.com or call 877-326-5576.  The next round of classes begins in April and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

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Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability, received accolades as a finalist for the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association’s National Cleantech Leadership Award on October 22. Ecotech congratulates all of the finalists and winners from the ceremony for helping cleantech industries continue to innovate and grow.

“We were absolutely thrilled to be recognized among so many fantastic cleantech innovators who deeply care about sustainable industries,” said Mike Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “Ecotech is committed to walking the talk as we educate future sustainability experts and we will continue to look to these peers for insights, guidance and support.”

During the third annual “Colorado Cleantech Industry Awards Celebration”, individuals and organizations were honored for their leadership in advancing cleantech job creation, corporate growth, individual effort and technical innovation.

The company finalists were selected based on their ability to impact the marketplace with innovative clean technologies, successful fundraising efforts, ability to scale their technology, and the company’s statewide job creation success. Individuals were selected for their commitment to expanding Colorado’s cleantech ecosystem and their devotion to the growth of their respective organizations. With the guidance of Deloitte, the finalists were selected by a group of industry peers consisting of entrepreneurial leaders, cleantech CEOs and former award recipients.

“For a school that has only been around a couple years, this nomination was a big accomplishment,” added Seifert. 

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability, has named Chris Gorrie as the school’s new Academic Dean. Gorrie began at Ecotech as an instructor in 2010 and most recently served as the program director for the Electrical Engineering Technology Program.

“Chris Gorrie is a student favorite on our campus, bringing a great deal of knowledge and expertise,” said Mike Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “This is a perfect position for Chris, giving him the ability to make a difference for our entire student body.”

Gorrie studied Electrical Engineering, with an emphasis in semiconductor technology, at the University of Southern Maine and did his graduate work at the University of Florida where he received a full Alumni Fellowship.

His interest in renewable energy led to work at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where he developed new materials for use in transparent electronics and photovoltaics. His passion for teaching brought him to Ecotech Institute where he has taught courses in circuits, power generation, programmable logic controllers, mathematics, physical science and photovoltaics.

“It’s a great honor to hold this position,” said Gorrie. “At Ecotech Institute, we’re helping to shape our country’s renewable energy future and changing students’ lives in the process. It’s an incredible opportunity and I look forward to the challenge.”

From shifts in the economy to advances in technology, the career choices of Americans have changed dramatically since the 1900s. Since the days when “farmer” was a popular occupation, to the present when 50 percent of the top 20 fastest growing jobs are in healthcare, career choices have certainly shifted over time. To illustrate the shift, Bryant & Stratton College, an institution that has been at the forefront of workplace education & training since the 1850s, recently released an infographic illustrating the History of Careers in America.

To view the infographic and learn more, please visit http://www.bryantstratton.edu/CareersInAmerica.aspx

The Wild Basin Lodge in Allenspark, CO has added a new executive chef for future weddings and events. Chef Nick Fuster joins the staff after leading Boulder’s Mediterranean Restaurant culinary team for 11 years. Prior to his time at The Mediterranean Restaurant (or, as locals call it, The MED), Chef Fuster had a long and successful culinary career in Vail, Colorado; Maui, Hawaii; Switzerland, Greece, Italy, and Bermuda. The culinary expert was raised in Switzerland and from a young age, he received training in preparing cuisine for international travelers. Chef Fuster moved to Colorado in 1982 and fell in love with the Rocky Mountains and the wonderful people in Colorado. He also lived and worked as a chef in Maui for a while, but he found himself missing the changing seasons and the pristine mountain ambiance of Colorado. He moved back to the state and from 1995-2000, he owned a restaurant in Vail featuring American-inspired cuisine with a Mediterranean flair. Since he started at The MED, he has enjoyed the natural setting of Boulder and raising his family in the nearby town of Lyons. His interest in The Wild Basin Lodge was sparked when he learned about the family-oriented nature of the staff and saw the beautiful facilities in unincorporated Boulder County. The lodge, which is a private event and wedding venue located next to Longs Peak and the Rocky Mountain National Park, hosts over 256 weddings and events annually. Chef Fuster was excited to begin crafting new menu options for wedding guests and travelers as well as experience a change of pace from a public restaurant setting.

Chef Fuster brings a new variety of innovative, delicious, and expertly prepared menu options for wedding receptions and private events to The Wild Basin Lodge. Staff favorites include succulent lamb skewers with homemade tzatziki dipping sauce, farm-raised chicken breast stuffed with a combination of feta cheese, sun dried tomatoes, and a perfect balance of spices, gourmet bacon-wrapped dates on skewers, and a crab stuffed mushroom appetizer with a wonderful combination of Italian and Mediterranean spices. The venue continues to uphold high standards of food quality and uses locally grown, organic, and the freshest ingredients available for menu options. Chef Fuster proves that he can adhere to that policy while introducing even more Colorado-inspired dishes that attract clientele from all over the world. One such selection is a new basil pesto crusted Colorado striped bass with tomato relish that the staff prepares fresh on site. The chef drew much of his inspiration while designing new menu options for The Wild Basin Lodge from the fish, game, and vegetables that are unique to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Patrons and engaged couples alike will be happy to know that the venue has retained its famous fried chicken recipe while adding many menu selections that surpass typical wedding and large event menus. Chef Fuster’s food is to die for, and the entire Wild Basin staff hopes to see Boulder locals at the lodge in the near future to plan their next event with a gourmet menu!

The Wild Basin Lodge invites Boulder locals and guests from all over the world to schedule a tour of the facilities to plan an event or wedding for 2-200 guests. Chef Fuster and the expert event coordination staff at the lodge happily craft custom menus for guests with specific dietary needs, budgets, and time restrictions. To begin planning your next outing in Boulder’s Rocky Mountains, contact the lodge at events@wildbasinlodge.com or (303) 747-2274.